A youth, who was held hostage on Saturday night by one of nine detainees who escaped from police custody last Monday, endured four hours of anxious but terrifying moments.

During the 'hostage' situation which began at 8.30pm, Mohd Khairul Anas Fazli, 20, was forced to accompany the detainee, Mohd Khairulnizam Abdul Rani, 26, to the homes of the latter's relatives at several locations in Sungai Bakap and Bukit Mertajam.

During the forced visits, the fugitive rode Mohd Khairul Anas' motorcycle, with the hostage as pillion.

Recalling the incident, the victim said he was at a friend's house in Bukit Indera Muda about 8.30pm, when Mohd Khairulnizam, who incidentally knew the friend as well, kicked open the main door.

"He was quite aggressive when he entered the house. Wasting no time, he used the toilet before asking one of us to send him to his sister's house in Sungai Bakap. When we declined, he threatened to take away my motorcycle," said Mohd Khairul Anas when met here Sunday.